Berlian merah jambu dijual RM55 juta

GAMBAR bertarikh 8 Mei 2012 menunjukkan seorang model memegang berlian Martian Pink di pejabat Christie's di Hong Kong.

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HONG KONG - Sebutir berlian merah jambu, Martian Pink dijual pada harga AS$17.4 juta (RM55 juta) iaitu dua kali ganda melebihi harga anggaran dalam satu lelongan pada minggu ini.

Dikategori sebagai berlian merah jambu berbentuk bulat terbesar yang pernah dilelong, Martian Pink merupakan kemuncak lelongan firma Christies' kelmarin.

Lelongan barangan kemas tersebut berjaya mengutip AS$80 juta (RM253 juta).

"Muncul dalam pasaran buat kali pertama sejak 36 tahun lalu, Martian Pink yang dijual oleh Harry Winston pada 1976 dan mencetuskan sensasi pada pameran di seluruh dunia, dibeli pada harga AS$17.4 juta (RM55 juta) selepas perang bidaan selama 10 minit," kata seorang eksekutif Christie's, Vickie Sek.

Menurutnya, berlian tersebut dibeli oleh seorang pembeli misteri. - AFP

It Mouss be love

TUG OF WAR ... Moussa Dembele

Exclusive

By SHAUN CUSTIS

Published: 30th May 2012

CHELSEA are ready to make a move for Fulham’s £10million-rated striker Moussa Dembele.

And it means Dembele could join his Belgian team-mate Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge.

Fulham had been hoping to keep Dembele, 24, who has successfully switched from a midfield role.

But he has only one year left on his contract and is not ready to agree a new deal as he is well aware of interest from the big clubs.

Manchester United are also keeping tabs on Dembele and could challenge Chelsea if they make a firm offer.

Fulham are already set to lose two more stars over the summer — striker Andy Johnson and midfielder Clint Dempsey.

Johnson, 31, who is out of contract in June, has battled injury problems and his agent, Anthony McFarlane, has hinted at a move to the lucrative United Arab Emirates league.

Top scorer Dempsey, 29, is a target for Arsenal and United.

The USA star said: “The transfer window is open until August 31. It’s no secret I would like to play Champions League one day in my career.”

Incredible collection of private supercars worth more than £50m goes on display at Shanghai's F1 track

This jaw-dropping collection of around 80 supercars worth in excess of £50million shows the incredible rise of the rich in China.

The supposed 'People's Republic' is one of the fastest growing markets for premium UK car makers such as Bentley, Jaguar and Rolls-Royce.

But these British beauties wouldn't have attracted a second glance at Shanghai's F1 track on Sunday when the Unique Motorsport Club Superclub Challenge took place.

Orient excess: A jaw-dropping haul of more than 80 supercars worth around £50million lines up on the starting grid of Shanghai's F1 track

Ultra-wealthy petrolheads from across the country showed up at the racetrack with their 200mph-plus supercars for an annual parade.

On the front row of the grid were five cars worth around £18million between them - including three Bugatti Veyron Super Sports which cost in excess of £4million each.

Making up the front five were a Swedish-built Koenigsegg Agera and track-only Pagani Zonda R.

Incredibly, the standard Bugatti Veyron, which has 1,001bhp and a top speed of 253mph, wasn't deemed good enough for the front row and was relegated to the second tier.

Parked alongside the bog standard Bugatti were two Ferrari Enzos worth £1 million each and a Pagani Zonda Cinque, which would have set its owner back more than £2 million.

Money spinners: A £4million Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and a £2million Pagani Zonda Cinque lead the dizzying array of supercars around the Shanghai F1 track

Wheely special: A £1million Ferrari Enzo followed by a black Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and a white Ferrari 599 GTO. 1,600 supercars were sold in China last year - a 100 per cent increase on 2010

These stunning photographs were taken by Yang Yunfei, who was lucky enough to be invited to the exclusive event.

He said: 'It was amazing to see all of the world's exotic supercars in one place at the same time. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was like a dream.'

Supercar sales are still relatively small in China, with around 1,600 sold last year - a 100 per cent increase on 2010.

Double trouble: Two Bugatti Veyron Super Sports each capable of a staggering 268mph and worth a combined £8million lead a a Pagani Zonda, Koenigsegg Agera, Ferrari Enzo, Ferrari 599 GTO around the track

Photocall: Ultra-wealthy petrolheads from across the supposed communist state showed up at the track with their dream machines. On the front row of the grid alone were five cars worth a combined £18million

This figure is expected to rise to 2,000 this year with the likes of Lamborghini and Ferrari both announcing record sales.

It was revealed earlier this year that the average Lamborghini buyer in China is 20 years younger than in Europe.

Italian and German car companies made up the bulk of the cars but there were a number of Aston Martins representing Brand Britain.

The Gaydon-based car maker plans to open 11 dealerships across China this year alone.

It's Mount Roo-shmore

Footie star Wayne in sculpture with
Becks, Gazza and Stuart Pearce

Footie heroes ... fans voted for four players to grace Mount Rushmore-style sculpture

By FRAN WETZEL

Published: 29th May 2012

DAVID Beckham and Wayne Rooney have been turned to stone in a giant Mount Rushmore-style sculpture to celebrate England’s best players of the past 25 years.

Paul Gascoigne, who seems to be crying thanks to a water feature, and Stuart Pearce complete the line-up for the rockery unveiled in a London garden ahead of Euro 2012.

Beckham, 37, topped a poll of 2,000 sports fans to find England’s most inspirational player over that period, with 32 per cent of the vote.

Gazza, who famously wept on the pitch at the Italia ’90 World Cup, was runner-up with 25 per cent.

Crying game ... Gazza water feature makes him look as though he's shedding tears

Current England striker Wayne Rooney, 26, was third with 18 per cent, followed by Euro ‘96 legends Stuart Pearce on 13 per cent. Alan Shearer just missed out on 12 per cent.

The sculpture, dubbed Mount Score-more, took artist Adrian Hynes six weeks to create.

It is made of fibreglass and concrete, weighs 9st 7lbs and is one metre tall and 1.5 metres wide.

Pitch up in the garden ... the monument is set to go in lucky fan's garden

The sculpture was specially commissioned as part of Lotto’s “What Would You Do?” campaign.

Lotto say they hope that the monument will inspire Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions to “win big” this summer.

England fans can win the artwork in time for the kick-off in Poland and Ukraine by entering a Lotto competition on Facebook.

Finishing touches ... worker uses paint brush to perfect sculpture

A Lotto spokesman said: “What better way to celebrate England’s forthcoming Euro campaign than with a unique garden-based homage to our national team?”

I'm Eden to Chelsea! Blues beat City and United in race to sign £32m Hazard

Eden Hazard revealed on Monday night he would be joining Chelsea in a £32million deal - a massive statement of intent by the European champions.

Hazard announced on Twitter that he would be signing for Chelsea after weeks of talks with them, MAnchester United and Manchester City.

Tricky: Eden Hazard has led his suitors a merry dance

Conformation: Hazard says he will join Chelsea

The Lille playmaker, one of the most coveted players in Europe, will sign a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge once details have been finalised.

It is an amazing coup for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who has not even appointed a manager for next season but is intent on rebuilding a team that finished only sixth in the Barclays Premier League.

The deal is a clear indication that the west Londoners will challenge the might of the Manchester clubs, especially newly-crowned champions City and their Abu Dhabi owners.

Hazard, 21, is with the Belgium squad preparing for Saturday's friendly against England at Wembley. City pulled out of the deal for Hazard last week because of his incredible salary demands, which are close to £200,000 a week, and his agent John Bico's demands for £6m.

First choice: Hazard is demanding to be an automatic first-teamer at Chelsea

Decided: Hazard lets his followers know he's made up his mind

However, Chelsea are understood to have reached a compromise agreement with his representative.

Hazard will play in a new-look Chelsea attack that is purpose built by Abramovich for the next manager.

Juan Mata, Germany international Marko Marin, who will also be coming to Stamford Bridge from Werder Bremen in a £6m deal, and Hazard are being primed for the three advanced midfield positions to provide the ammunition for Fernando Torres.

New look: Marko Marin

Hazard came to prominence with Lille during their 2010-11 title-winning season and has just been named Player of the Year in France for the second successive season.

In an attempt to lure Hazard to Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson, who will now step up his attempts to sign Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund, had offered him the famous No 7 shirt vacated by Michael Owen.

Instead the Belgian has been persuaded by Abramovich that his future lies at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's owner wants to reestablish them as the best team in the country and this is part of his plan to create one of the most attacking teams in Europe.

WHAT DO YOU GET FOR £32m

Name: Eden Hazard

Age: 21

Nationality: Belgian

International record: A27 G2 A8 (appearances, goals, assists)

League record Total:

P 147: G36 A34

11/12: P38 G20 A15

10/11: P38 G7 A10

Achievements:

Sept 2008: Becomes youngest goalscorer in Lille history

Oct 2008: Makes Belgium debut

17 May 2009: Named France's Young Player of the Year

May 2010: Becomes first player to retain Young Player of the Year award. Named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

May 2011: Named French Player of the Year after helping Lille to their first League and Cup double since 1946. Named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

May 2012: Named French Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich, who Chelsea beat in the Champions League final, have reacted to an agonising end to their season by moving for Edin Dzeko and vowing to compete with City for Javi Martinez.

Bayern officials initially distanced themselves from Dzeko, after Sportsmail exclusively revealed in March that City manager Roberto Mancini had decided to offload the former Wolfsburg striker at the end of the season.

They have had a change of heart, though, after deciding they need another proven finisher.

With the Bosnia striker recently accepting that his days at City were numbered, a return to the Bundesliga looks certain, provided Bayern can come close to matching a likely £20million-plus asking price.

Finance is unlikely to prove a stumbling block, after a clear signal that Bayern are ready to spend lavishly to reclaim their place at the top of German football.

Bayern buying a winner: Edin Dzeko will leave City as a champion

Sporting director Christian Nerlinger attended Friday night's Spanish Cup final in Madrid to check on the form of Martinez.

Meanwhile, Schalke are keen to sign Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou, 26, on a free transfer.

Toxic honey farming is a real cliffhanger

Hunter ... ancient tribe scale mountainside to reach honeycomb

Caters

By JO SAYER

Published: 28th May 2012

AN ANCIENT tribe scale 250ft up a mountain and risk their lives harvesting honey from the world’s largest bee.

The Rai people, from Nepal, fashion ladders out of braided bamboo to access the prized nests of the Himalayan honey bee.

With no safety equipment, the "honey hunters" come under attack from swarms of the insects as they use a long stick to retrieve the honeycomb.

An adult male bee can get up to 3cm long — just smaller than a Cadbury Creme Egg.

Once the climbers locate the nest, the men spend a pain-staking four hours harvesting the honey by hand.

Photographer Eric Tourneret, 47, who followed a group on a rare trip, said: “It is very dangerous work.

Don't look down ... with no safety equipment, the tribe tie their feet to their homemade ladders

Caters

“Many, many people die doing it. The practice is dying out as the bees slowly become extinct.

“It is now just a ceremonial thing as opposed to a day job.

“Even though the honey is probably some of the world’s most expensive, the Rai people refuse to sell it, instead sharing it among the four villages in their area.”

Swarm ... the world's largest bees attack as their nests are prodded

Caters

Despite being one of the most sought after in the world, the honey — called toxic rhododendron — is poisonous thanks to a toxin in the pollen and nector of the rhododendron flowers used to make it.

It can cause agonising cramps if ingested unknowingly.

But the Rai people believe it has therapeutic healing powers, and leave their homes in the Bung valley every spring to brave the cliffs in the search of bees’ nests.

Pain-staking ... the honey takes four hours to harvest by hand

Caters

They prefer not to sell the honey even though it reaches high prices in nearby South Korea.

Using sharpened bamboo poles to slice their way through the honeycomb, the catchers then drop it to the ground for other members to collect.

To prevent them from falling, their feet are tied to the homemade bamboo ladders.

Eric, from Paris, France, added: “I used one to climb up alongside the Rai people and photograph them close up.

Prize ... honeycomb is dropped onto the floor in a basket

Caters

“Despite wobbling a bit, they feel a lot stronger than a normal metal one we use in the west.

“These people are very wise and know how to make nature work in their favour.

“Even though it is a dangerous activity, none of them looked at all fazed by the climb and process, having been taught the skill by their fathers and their grandfathers before them.”

Rare Aston sells for £1.23million

Rare ... Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Santion II Coupe.

Caters

By ANDREW SNELL

Published: 28th May 2012

A RARE Aston Martin has sold for a record £1.23MILLION at auction.

The vintage motor — a DB4GT Zagato Santion II Coupe — was once owned by the manager of rock star Phil Collins, and was just one of 46 cars which went under the hammer.

In total, sales at the specialist Aston Martin auction fetched a whopping £6.5million.

The second highest price was £611,900 for a 1962 DB4 Vantage Convertible.

Other famous Astons which went at the sale included a 1994 Virage Volante soft-top convertible once used by the Prince of Wales .

The royal motor sold for £122,000, having been estimated to sell for £50,000 to £70,000.

And a car once owned by world boxing champion Lennox Lewis — a 1994 Virage Limited Edition Coupe — sold for £18,290.

Pricey - 1994 Virage Limited Edition Coupe once owned by Lennox Lewis

Caters

The auction — which attracted 2,000 people — was the best sale result for auction house Bonhams since it started the events at Aston Martin’s Works facility in Newport Pagnell, Bucks.

James Knight, International MD of Collectors Cars at Bonhams said: “This sale once again shows the steady rise of interest in Aston Martin cars that we have seen since we started these sales here.

“With only four DB4GT Zagato Sanction IIs made, this represented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of these fabulous cars, which will become increasingly collectible.”

Sale ... 1985 V8 Vantage

Eden Hazard to join Chelsea

HERE I COME ... Lille forward Eden Hazard has revealed he is on his way to the Premier League

By MARTIN BLACKBURN

Last Updated: 29th May 2012

CHELSEA have won the race to sign Belgian star Eden Hazard in a £32million deal.

The Lille flier, 21, had been a top target for Manchester City and United.

But last night Hazard tweeted: “I’m joining the European champions.”

The capture of Hazard is a clear sign Blues owner Roman Abramovich will continue to pump money in following their glory night in Munich.

City were believed to be in pole position to sign one of the hottest young talents in Europe after watching him several times.

But they went cool on him as they were concerned about his £170,000-a-week wage demands plus the agent’s fee.

Hazard also made it clear he would like to play just off a frontman and City already have title hero Sergio Aguero in that position.

That made it a straight shootout between Chelsea and United — and Hazard has chosen the Blues.

Ramai kakitangan awam tidak mampu miliki rumah sendiri

Cuepacs

MACHANG - Kongres Kesatuan Pekerja-pekerja Di Dalam Perkhidmatan Awam (Cuepacs) mendapati kira-kira 60 peratus penjawat awam yang berpendapatan bawah RM3,000 sebulan, terutama di Lembah Klang, tidak mampu memiliki rumah sendiri.

Setiausaha Kewangan Cuepacs, Jaapar Mansor berkata, fenomena itu akan berterusan jika kerajaan tidak mengambil langkah tertentu, termasuk mengurangkan kadar faedah pinjaman dan menaikkan gaji kakitangan awam terbabit.

"Kadar faedah pinjaman perumahan 4 peratus yang dikenakan institusi kewangan ke atas penjawat awam pada masa ini wajar diturunkan kepada 1 peratus," katanya kepada Bernama di sini, semalam.

Beliau tidak menolak kemungkinan penjawat awam yang berpendapatan di bawah RM3,000 sebulan hanya mampu menyewa atau memiliki rumah kos rendah bertaraf Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin (PPRT).

Jaapar yang juga Pengerusi Cuepacs Selangor berkata, saranan supaya kerajaan menurunkan kadar faedah pinjaman perumahan itu adalah antara tuntutan yang pernah dikemukakan kongres itu kepada kerajaan sebelum ini.

"Walaupun ia bukan merupakan tuntutan utama Cuepacs, namun ia akan terus diperjuangkan oleh penjawat awam melalui kongres itu," katanya .

Kongres itu juga sedang melancarkan gerakan mengesan penjawat awam yang belum memiliki rumah di seluruh negara untuk dijadikan garis panduan untuk tindakan yang akan diambil demi kebajikan anggotanya.

Sementara itu, beliau berkata Cuepacs mahu kerajaan mempercepatkan cadangan penubuhan Suruhanjaya Mengkaji Skim Gaji dan Elaun Penjawat Awam seperti yang diumumkan Perdana Menteri 8 Mac lalu.

Kongres juga akan terus mengadakan gerakan penerangan kepada anggotanya ke seluruh negara mengenai peluang yang dinikmati mereka melalui penambahbaikan Skim Saraan Baru (SSB). – Bernama

Muda di hati

BUKAN BERSANTAI...Walaupun sudah berusia 64 tahun, aktor kelahiran Austria ini perlu sentiasa aktif.

Arnold berpakaian kulit lengkap.

DIA dulu dikenali sebagai “cyborg” masa hadapan yang mempunyai otot seperti besi dan tidak dimamah usia.

Tapi sayangnya, kehidupan di layar perak tidak sama dengan realiti, dan Arnold Schwarzenegger nampaknya sudah seperti seekor silver fox (rubah berbulu perak.

Aktor Terminator itu dilihat menunggang motosikalnya yang mempunyai kereta sisi, ketika keluar bersiar-siar di Santa Monica.

Lengkap berjaket kulit, aktor aksi itu masih terasa muda di hati dan masih belum bersedia untuk bersantai dengan releks menikmati matahari di pantai.

Malah, hanya janggutnya yang berwarna putih itu menunjukkan usia sebenarnya, manakala cermin mata hitam dan helmet ala tenteranya pula membuatkan dia kelihatan lebih “bersahaja” walaupun berusia 64 tahun.

Aktor kelahiran Austria itu tidak menunjukkan tanda-tanda untuk mengurangkan kariernya, sebaliknya beberapa filemnya ditunggu untuk tayangan hingga 2014.

Arnie baru saja selesai penggambaran “The Expendables 2”, dan tidak lama lagi akan dilihat bersama aktor Forest Whitaker di dalam filem Last Stand dan Sylverster Stallone dalam filem “The Tomb.”

Awal bulan ini, ada pengumuman mengatakan dia akan bergandingan bersama direktor David Ayer untuk filem “Ten.”

Ia mengenai kisah anggota elit pasukan pertugas DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) atau Pentadbiran Penguatkuasaan Dadah yang membuat sesuatu di luar operasi biasa dan mencuri berjuta dolar daripada organisasi dadah. -DM